Five Again

Once again, we are a family of five. Well, technically we're been a family of five for over thirteen years, but a family of five in the same location again. It's so nice.

Drew left DC around noon on Friday. With him driving by himself we thought it would be good  if he at least got out of the state of Virginia - about six hours. After all he woke up at 5 AM and worked four hours. But around dinner time he called to say he was already in Knoxville.

My question to him was, "Exactly how fast are you going??!!!"

Since Knoxville was expecting a dusting of snow, he decided to drive some more. He got south of Chattanooga before he stopped for the night - that's about half way. I think we both expected him to sleep late, but he had the same problem I did at the Hampton Inn during Thanksgiving: thin walls and lots of noise!

He pulled in to the house about 3:45.  Yes, he was NOT driving the speed limit! As he said, he was ready to be home. And he did not have three sets of eyes watching him like I did when I drove to DC and back Thanksgiving week. Also, he didn't have to stop and feed or find a bathroom for those three set  of eyes.

I am very thankful he's home safe and sound. We are ready for this next chapter of our life.

A Few More Days....

Today was Drew's last full day at work in  DC. Tomorrow he will only work for a few hours before he does all the out-processing paperwork. He's hoping to get on the road around noon. I'm hoping he only does one night on the road....but it was a long way for me to drive with William's help at Thanksgiving and he'll be driving it alone....  Wish I could have flown out to help him! 

These last few days  - weeks, really - have been good. The kids have gotten back into the routine of school. The two high school kids have new schedules since their school does a "4 by 4" block schedule.  Last year semester Melissa had a really easy schedule...not really sure if she learned anything! But this semester she has Spanish 2, Honor Geometry, Honor English, and health.  She'll actually be working this time around!  William had several classes last semester where he had to work and study - the same is true this time around as well. He has AP English, AP Stats, Advance Theater, and Bible Lit. I'm glad he's in English this semester since he'll be taking the ACT. The teacher he has specializes in tutoring for the ACT. She and I have talked and I think William is getting some great tutoring in the class. Hopefully, this will mean a higher score on the ACT!!  (He already has a great score, but hoping to get a few points higher so he can be eligible for out-of-state scholarships.)

I have worked a few day, but am planning not to work any next week. Drew will have next week off and I want to be around to enjoy him being home!

For a few days this week I have an extra kid around. A friend of mine went to a conference with her husband and their son (5th grade) is staying with us.  He's fitting right in with the boys - its all about video games!! He loves our Wii. I think Ben likes having someone younger than him around....even if Douglas is taller!

We had a soccer game Monday night - two short games to make-up for one that was cancelled at the beginning of the season. We won both. Tuesday night we had an out-to-town game - we won that one as well!  Tomorrow night we have another out-of-town game.  Not sure why the coach planned so much for this week! But as long as we win, it's all good!

One Goal Down

As I mentioned a few post ago, I had a goal of an early spring cleaning. I am happy to say I'm done! The last closets were mine and the guest room closet that holds my sewing, other craft items, Drew's magic paraphernalia, and other odds and ends of things.
.
I really didn't throw out a lot of garbage (maybe a bag or two) or take a lot of stuff to the Goodwill (about one medium size box), but every little bit helps! I main just put like things with like things. The calmness I feel as I open a drawer or closet is well worth any time I spent!

One of the interesting things I came across was my grandmother's Bible. I knew I had it, I just had not look in it in a long while. It was in a box at the bottom of my closet. This box had been there since we moved it, but I have found that its just in the way. It's next to my extra tote bags and jewelry stand. I have had a hard time getting into my jewelry stand, so I need to move the box up high on a shelf so it would be out of the way. I went through the box just to remind myself it was only keep-sake items in there.

When saw her Bible, I couldn't but help to look through it.  It held an interesting number of article out of the newspaper.  One was a letter-to-the-editor about how many articles were against Ole Miss, but for MS State and Southern MS football teams. Another one was  about some group in old-timey covered wagons traveling from Shreveport to Pennsylvania traveling through Jackson, MS (where she lived). There was, also, a church budget from 1978 over a dozen years before she died! Why did she keep that? Or the newspaper articles that from my point of view that have nothing to do with our family. (By the way, the budget showed the pastor made less than twenty thousand.)

Another piece of paper had all the families' birthday dates. Mine was a day earlier...which brought humor to  Drew and I. The first year we were dating he thought my birthday was a day early (which is so much better than a day late!!), but it's been an on-going joke between us. He's even gotten the kids in it.  Mom thinks she had the wrong date because that was the day she went into the hospital to have me - but never did Mammaw ever wish me happy birthday a day early....so it's just another odd thing in her Bible.

Now on to the next project....

Tech Joy

A few times Mom has hit the wrong button on her iphone and has ended up using the video phone instead of the normal phone. The other day she did this as she was calling me because Dad wanted to talk to me. Of course, at first he didn't understand that he didn't need to put the phone to his ear - that he needed to look at it instead. 

Oh, the look of shock when he saw my face - with Melissa next to me.  So sweet!!  I love seeing his smile and the love on his face as he saw "his girls".  With his dementia for the most part you have to look closely for emotions, but this day it was all over his face! I just treasure these times....especially know they are few.

Then he gave the phone back to Mom as she had wanted to show us her recently cut hair.  After that Melissa took the phone away from me and proceeded to show her grandmother her current art projects...her new shoes....her new rain boots.... I just love seeing my children enjoying family!

Pure joy!

The "Polar Vortex"

Not sure who came up with the whole "polar vortex" name...probably some bored journalist. But it is cold outside!  In the past we have had trouble with our kitchen sink pipes freezing as the sink is along the outside wall. The first time it happened, I called the plumber who installed the system to come to the house to help.  He added some more installation, but really couldn't do a whole lot. After all, most of the pipes were in the walls. He wasn't not going to rip out a wall to get to them.

So, it was no surprise to me when the last few mornings we had no water in the kitchen...not really a big deal. As soon as the temperature rose, water began to flow.

But today it did surprise me that the toilet and shower in the master bathroom froze. That was a first. They, too, had the pipes on an outside wall. Since this outside wall is not facing the raising sun as the kitchen pipes are, it took until after twelve for the water to start to flow there.

When the plumber did come out he did assure me that the pipes he installed were made to freeze and thaw out without bursting. So far, he's been proven right.

My Early Spring Cleaning

Last month when I was losing my mind, one thing that I told a friend was that every time I opened a drawer or closet I felt like it was messy and disorganized. So, I decided that cleaning out my house would be my goal for January.

Not a New Year Resolution...those I DON'T do. After all, if you feel so strongly about changing something in your life, then just do it! Don't wait for a "special" time of the year.

I'm looking at January as my month to do an early spring cleaning. I really don't think I'll be working very much in January, so I should have plenty of time to give each drawer, closet, and cabinet a good cleaning.

Yesterday I was able to clean and straighten up all the drawers and cabinets in my kitchen.  Oh, how that made me feel so much better!!! My utensil drawer was one of the biggest messes! Part of the problem is that my children usually put away the clean dishes...and just throw things in the drawers...no matter if it's the right drawer let alone the right tray. I ended up buy some new trays and moved all the sharp items to a new drawer. I showed all the kids the new place for the sharp items...time will tell if they remember. But at least its a start!

Today I went through my desk, files and even answered all emails and other correspondence (meaning I paid bills).  Looking at my clean desk makes me so happy. A huge stressor just left the house!! There was a large pile of papers and mail that Drew needs to do something with...which is not his highest priority when he lives here much less when he's home only for a ten day visit.   I ended up going through all the papers and filed what I could then created a new file - all for Drew!  Now instead of a stack taking up space on my desk, I'll just slip that piece of mail in his file in the filing cabinet then he can take care of it when he wants to (usually when he does the taxes!).

Now the question is whether or not I can get the kids to quit eating at the desk....I won't go into details over the dirt on the desk I cleaned off....

Tomorrow my goal is the laundry room and linen closet. It really should not take long....then I think I'll work on my step-tonsu cabinets where my table linens are stored. 

Books, Books, and More Books....My Crack

During 2012 I read about eighty books and for 2013 I read one hundred twenty-six. Yep - you read that right 126.  I love to read and yes, I am a fast reader. When Drew wants to unwind, he watches a movie or plays a computer game. I read.  I read a wide variety of books as well. Here's a few of the best....in my opinion.

Bio & Autobiographies: There were several that stuck out in my mind after I read them. I really enjoyed Unbroken by Laura Hillenbran.  Its the story of Louis Zamperini, He raced in the 1936 Olympics then joined the fight in WWII during which he was a POW in Japan. It's an amazing story of his survival.  It will be made into a movie for next Christmas. I, also, enjoyed Phil Vischer's Me, Myself and Bob.  He is the creator of Veggie Tales. This book is his story of the rise and fall of those beloved veggies, but really about how we can get caught up in our service to the Lord instead of focusing on the Lord Himself.  A lesson all Christians need to learn.

I, also, read a lot of books that could be categorized as Christian Living or even theology. The ABSOLUTE best is The Divine Commodity by Skye Jethani. I originally bought it as an ebook, but have recently ordered a hardcopy of it. I plan to re-read it, then pass it on to several friends so we can discuss it.  Skye Jethani writes about how the church has become consumed with being consumers. It really changed my way of thinking about the church.

Then there's the fiction side of what I read - by far the majority of what I read. Some were chapter books the kids have read and enjoyed. Others were mysteries.  I think some of the best were the Divergent  series by Veronica Roth. The three book series were similar in the Hunger Games as it's place in post-America, but these were by far better than the Hunger Games! The movie for the first book - Divergent - will be out in the spring.  I think it'll be a HUGE success.

Like a lot of women, many books I read were romance. Basically, they were Hallmark movies in book form! Others were more about life in general and less about romance...some were Christian some were secular. I really try to pick authors that write the story and not focus on the bedrooms action, but many times I knee deep in the book before I realize what the author has in store. I have learned to totally avoid some authors! I do enjoy Barbara Delinksy, Debbie MaComber, Kristen Hannah, Paul Richard Evans, Neta Jackson, Dani Pettrey, Jason Wright, ....well....there's a lot! Take a look at my list! Enjoy!